Kevin Dean was drafted 86th overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He then played four years at the University of New Hampshire before transferring to the AHL. In 1994–95 Dean helped the Albany River Rats win the AHL's Calder Cup championship. He made his NHL debut the same season and was a member of the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. Following a few seasons between the minors and NHL, the Atlanta Thrashers claimed Dean in the 1999 NHL Expansion Draft. He would play for multiple teams in the NHL but never secure a spot, retiring in 2002.

Kevin Dean is currently the head coach of the Trenton Devils, an ECHL team associated with the New Jersey Devils, where he has been employed since August 2006.[1]